This year’s hurricane season is expected to be normal in the Atlantic and Caribbean basins, the federal government said this week.
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center said there’s a 70 percent chance of nine to 15 named storms, four to eight of which are expected to become hurricanes – about the average over the last few decades. It would be a return to a more normal summer after a few active years.
“NOAA’s outlook predicts a less active season compared to recent years,” said NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco. “But regardless of the outlook, it’s vital for anyone living or vacationing in hurricane-prone locations to be prepared. We have a stark reminder this year with the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew.”
Forecasters cautioned that if an El Nino warming pattern develops in late summer, conditions would change – keeping the season even quieter.
